It Is A Different World And Yet I Am Cultivating Monsters

118

"Well, here we are. This is the destination."

The next day, the moment I was ready, Fitness and Dora took hold of Oyaji's hand, the landscape changed, and the next thing I saw was a view of the desert.

"Where are we...? Oyaji"

I thought you might have come back for a moment, but that's not true.

To see the landscape around you, it's like a desert somewhere on earth.

"The Karahari Desert. And what I want to show you is this way, come here."

That's how I arrived after the old man walked in front of us.

Eventually, a few moments later, the drylands were spreading, and countless vines and some plants with leaves grew from the ground were native, and something like a green ball was found at the top of the vines.

"Oyaji, what is this?

He said, "Karahari watermelon. Ever heard of him?

I accidentally shook my neck to the name of the plant that came out of my mouth.

Does it have watermelon words on it... is this watermelon? When I think about something like that, Oyaji explains it.

"This is a natural watermelon in the desert. The shape is a little different, but they say it's the original watermelon we usually eat."

Seriously?! But what do you mean, watermelon in the desert?

"Originally, watermelon is a type of vegetable that was born to survive these harsh environments. Why do you think plants and vegetables don't grow in the desert? In addition to an environment where water is difficult to accumulate, there is also another reason for the symptoms of summer blight due to constant exposure to sunlight."

I nod at the words of Oyaji.

Indeed, if you try to grow crops in the desert, besides water, the heat of that sun will be an obstacle.

It was the same in other worlds, and in an environment called the desert, the sun was shining stronger than others.

"Well, that's where they started to have long roots to get more moisture, even in areas with less leaves and less water that can't beat the sunlight. And here's what's at the heart."

With that, I took one of the karahari watermelons that rolled at my feet, and I cut it in half with a knife that I took out of my bag.

And there appeared not the red flesh that we knew, but the yellow-green flesh.

"Have a bite."

To remind me to do that, I and Phytith bite into each half-cut karahari watermelon... bitter! What is this?! Not sweet at all!! It's really the watermelon I know, this guy!! And it's not delicious!!

I smiled happily as I unexpectedly spit out and looked at Phytis.

You... know how to feed me.

"Haha, the reaction was as expected. Well, I suppose now I know, but it's not flavorful either. But in this desert, it's so precious that it's a desert watershed."

That's what he said, and he stared at the watermelon pulp in his hand again.

Hmm, if it does look just like it, it's kind of juicy and there's an image that seems to be a lot of moisture.

"Whatever food is in the desert is a precious ingredient. Besides, he won't rot a couple of years after harvest."

Seriously?! That's awesome...

"I mean, there's always something about environmentally friendly food. Even if the quality of the flavor drops as the price, the adaptability and preservation will increase. But if we can improve these adaptability and preservation without diminishing the quality of the flavor - would that be perfect?

Saying so, he slapped the karahari watermelon in his hand, and the pleasant sound echoed here.

I see. But it's not watermelon.

I couldn't even imagine that.

Certainly a vegetable that is so hydrated is a treasure-like ingredient in a harsh desert environment.

The watermelon we were eating must have been the result of an improved variety of watermelons.

In the process, the native ability in harsh environments such as the desert that originally existed was lost.

However, if you keep it and bring the flavor closer to the watermelon I know, it will be quite a breakthrough ingredient.

Does that mean that you should buy the seeds of karahari watermelon here and the watermelon that is sold to Japan?

Or should we find monsters in the other world that resemble the watermelon's attributes and breed them into watermelons native to the desert?

"Asshole."

When I'm worried like that, do I chop my forehead?

"What are you doing!! Someone's an idiot!!

Unexpectedly, I snorted, but I gave it back with a sigh.

"Well, what's your biggest advantage? Does he have the ability to cultivate monsters? And yet, whether you want to grow the watermelon on Earth, or turn the monster over there into a watermelon, whatever he thinks, he's going to kill your taste. Above all, if you just turn monsters into vegetables, it won't change anything from what I'm doing."

When I say that, I do nod.

"Look, Kyo. Whatever your taste, it's your ability to grow monsters. And you can evolve and transform more monsters from there. It is an act that no one can imitate. That's why you don't have to emulate an existing one. Build something that only you can produce, or more importantly - create your own 'new kind of monster'."

I had an unexpected feeling of roughness in my chest when I answered that question.

I see. This is just a hint I showed you.

I didn't ask you to grow the watermelon itself.

As a representative of such adaptability, I showed it.

And I want you to create a monster that combines adaptability and conservation. That's what I wanted to say.

But this is certainly a good hint.

This karahari watermelon ecology is a thick leaf that prevents sunlight on a vine that has grown to survive in harsh deserts.

And even on dry ground, the roots will grow elongated so as not to miss water.

He taught me the elements I needed to survive in various deserts.

Then all we have to do is create a monster that holds those elements together.

I still don't know how to do it, but I have a goal.

Enough is enough for me to enjoy the challenge.